Villanova shreds Kansas, will face Michigan in championship

Saturday

Mar 31, 2018 at 7:56 PMMar 31, 2018 at 8:59 PM

The Wildcats hit more 3-pointers than any team in Final Four history.

Jason BlakeneyGatehouse Media

Villanova shattered the record for 3-pointers made in a Final Four game as seven players scored from beyond the arc, and the Wildcats ran away from Kansas, 95-79, during the second national seminal game Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Villanova now will play Michigan on Monday for the national championship.

The Wildcats poured in a total of 18 3-pointers in the game. They had 13 in the first half alone, enough to tie the previous record for made 3s in a Final Four (UNLV in 1987 and Duke in 2010) game. They also tied the record for 3-pointers attempted in a Final Four game (North Carolina in 2005).

Villanova came out fast, jumping out to a 16-4 lead in the game's first six minutes. Kansas had more turnovers (5) than points in that timeframe.

"We tried to come out aggressive and do the same thing on defense," Villanova redshirt freshman Omari Spellman said. "We just tried to buckle down defensively and our shots happened to fall, so we got off to a big lead."

As the Jayhawks found their footing, Villanova kept shooting from deep. Every 2-pointer Kansas made was answered by a 3 from the Wildcats. Kansas trailed by at least 10 point for the games final 36 minutes, 4 seconds.

The Wildcats lived on the perimeter and didn't attempt their first free throw until Jalen Brunson attempted a pair from the charity stripe with 8:48 left in the game.

"It just feels good," Paschall said. "My teammates found me some good shots. They trust me, and my coaches trust me, and that gives me confidence. It just feels good to keep playing."

Devonte' Graham led the way for Kansas with 23 points. Malik Newman added 21, and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk had 10.

"You know, it's going to end sad for 67 other teams in the tournament," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "Whether or not it's a game we were really never in or a game that you lose on the last possession, it still ends abruptly. For our kids to put themselves in a situation to be here and to win the league and the league tournament and get to the Final Four is really a great accomplishment. I hate it for them them that, obviously, we didn't perform better today, but, hey, give Villanova credit. They were unbelievable."

As impressive as the shooting performance was from the Wildcats, it wasn't totally out of character for the team. It's the third time this season Villanova has at least 18 3s in a game. They done better twice, making 19 against Saint Joseph's on Dec. 2 and against Creighton on Feb. 1.

The teams combined for 25 total made 3-pointers, an NCAA Tournament record (Arkansas and North Carolina had 22 total in a 1995 national semifinal).

Villanova will be looking for its second national title in three seasons when they tip against Michigan at 8:20 p.m. Central on Monday. The game will be televised on TBS.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.